Karin Janssen Project Space EventsSpeed Networking for Artists

‘Support your fellow artists as they support you. Your best community is your peer group of fellow artists.’ - Gregory Amenoff, Letters to a Young Artist

Although artists need critics, curators, collectors and galleries, for an artist peer recognition is the foundation of their practice. Feedback and support from colleagues is vital. Karin Janssen Project Space provides a platform where artists can network with each other face to face, make connections and share ideas. Speed Networking offers a structured yet informal way to develop your artistic career through fellow artists.

Who can join?'Artists Only' events cater for professional artists who exhibit regularly and have the production of art as their main working activity. At 'All Creatives' events everybody working professionally in the creative sector is welcome. This includes artists, but also commercial photographers, graphic designers, curators, filmmakers, dancers, singers, writers etc.

How does it work?Artists will form two rows across from each other and exchange information about their practice for five minutes. When the bell rings they move on to the next person and talk to them. This way everyone has an opportunity to network with each other.

Next eventThere are currently no new events planned.The cost of attending is £9 per person per event and includes drinks and tasty nibbles. In order to make sure that everybody is on a similar professional level, we'll ask you to fill in a few details about your practice. Interested in participating? Leave your email address on the mailing list and we'll keep you updated on future events.

Want to know more?Scroll down to read the FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why bring artists together?Artists need artists. First of all they need each other to improve and develop their work, to give and receive feedback, to inspire and collaborate. Secondly they need each other to further develop their career. Like Alan Bowness says in The Conditions of Success: How the Modern Artist Rises to Fame: “There are four circles of recognition through which artists go on their path to fame: peer recognition, critical recognition, patronage by dealers and collectors, and finally, public acclaim.” In the art world, where reputation is everything, nothing works as good as being recommended by a fellow artist to a curator or gallery. The best thing about these Speed Networking events is that networking with another artist is much easier than, for example, trying to get an exhibition in a gallery that doesn’t know you, and definitely much more fun.

Why Speed Networking?Some artists are very good at networking: they show up at an exhibition and talk to everybody like they’re best friends. However, for a lot of artists talking to complete strangers can still be a bit daunting. Speed Networking makes things a bit easier by giving a structure to networking: everybody is in the same position as you and everybody gets the same amount of time to talk. You talk to everybody in the room, and they are all there to meet other people, so they are eager to get to know you too. Best of all, not only you, but everybody will be slightly nervous. As you get to introduce yourself to one person at a time the process will become more natural and enjoyable. It is a great confidence exercise and a good way of practising your ‘elevator pitch’. You might even notice that afterwards you find it easier to talk to complete strangers and gallery owners about your work. But the main benefit is that it’s just so efficient: you get to talk to so many peers in one evening, the chances of meeting someone you 'click' with significantly increases.

Why one event for Artists Only and one event for All Creatives?We set up the Speed Networking for 'Artists Only' because we believe that an artist’s practice significantly differs from, for example, a graphic designer’s, with different goals and different problems. However, since creative professionals might also benefit from cross pollination, we set up the events for 'All Creatives'.

Why do participants have to fill in details about their practice?We want to make sure that everybody who is attending is on a similar professional level, so that everybody gets as much out of the event as possible. We don’t judge content or quality of work; all we do is make sure that each participant is serious about their art and advancing their career.

How many people will attend?We will allow a maximum of twenty participants at each event: this way everybody gets to speak to everybody else present at the event while the amount of people stays at a manageable level and nobody gets overwhelmed.

Any tips?Bring your business card and, if you want, some images of your work. Have a little think about how you would present yourself in a few minutes: what would you like to tell people and what makes you stand out? There is only a short time to talk, so don’t aim to show your entire portfolio or tell your whole career story: stick to the ‘highlights'. The key to successful networking is to follow up any interesting contacts you make shortly after the event. This doesn’t have to be much; just a brief email saying it was nice to meet them and giving them some more details on something you spoke about can be enough.

Questions about the booking

What happens after I filled in the booking form?We will have a look at your form and then email you an invoice with a PayPal link so you can pay online (you don’t need a PayPal account for this). This invoice is also your ticket.Your name, email address and website will be put on a list and handed out during the event to all the participants; this way it is even easier for people to keep in touch. If you don't want your details on this list, please let us know prior to the event.

Can I cancel after I booked?In case you’re not able to attend an event payment is non-refundable. However, if we receive notification of your cancellation up to 5 working days prior to the evening the fee can be transferred to a future event.

Can I just walk in?If you don’t want to pay online there is an additional £5.00 fee to be paid by cash on arrival. You still have to fill in an online booking form prior to the event.

Until when can I book?Up to 24 hours prior to the event you can fill in the booking form, but since we work on a first come first serve basis, the sooner you apply, the bigger the change that there is a place available.